Every once in
a while we lose a friend, a brother , even though our connection
seems to be only of the love for kites that we share.. I am saddened
beyond
words at the recent loss of Dave Kennedy.. Glen Rothstein replied to
my
message that I sent to the local buggy mail list with this sad news,
and he puts it so much better than I am able..
Thank you Glen for the permission to share here.. God Speed Dave!!
So, it's late
on Friday night and I'm on the web. I get an email from a friend
letting me know that a Buggier I knew passed away a few weeks prior.
The web is a wonderful avenue, but sometimes the trip is a sad one.
Dave Kennedy was an AKA member and it showed. I met him 3 years ago
at the
first ever "Buggy Boogie Fall Thang" at El Mirage Dry Lake.
After arriving at the lakebed that morning and getting settled, I see
two guys laying out kites,
lines and handles that of course, lead to a couple of buggies.
These 2 brothers from LA's "Hi Desert" are setting up for
their first rides
of the day. My friend Bill & I decide we'll help them set up so
they can get on
their way. Shortly thereafter, Dave and his Brother Mike are zipping
up and down the lakebed - Mission Accomplished.
1:30pm rolls around and this guy I'd met a few hours before walks up
to me
and says "You're having dinner with us!" Hard to refuse an
offer from guy
that's IN YOUR FACE, with a big smile, offering food. Dinner consisted
of
Slow Cooked Prime Rib, White Corn cooked in mostly Milk and Sugar
and Classy Little Dinner Rolls... ON A LAKE BED!
I was the Regional for the AKA at the time and Dave was more than
happy to become a part of us. 2 Months later, I'm in Pismo Beach for
a
Festival and Dave spots me from down the street and yells my name.
He heard about the festival and brought his Mom up to share in the day...
Bringing your Mom, how cool is that?
Dave, along with Brother Mike, were very active in the Buggy Community,
helping to coordinate events, support them and feed anyone in sight.
I'll never forget that smile...or the Corn.
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